MUFON Michigan Newsletter - 2008 01

Magazine Overview

This is the January 2008 issue of the MICHIGAN MUFON newsletter, the official publication of the Michigan Mutual UFO Network. The issue features a "Happy New Year!" message and a "Words From the State Director" column by Bill Konkolesky, who reflects on the past year, mourns the loss of member Bill O'Very, and thanks the investigators and members. He also reminds members to renew their 2008 MIMUFON membership dues.

Inside This Issue

The newsletter highlights several articles and features:

• MIMUFON's Marilyn Ruben Captures Anomalies on Camera: This article details how Marilyn Ruben captured seven photos of an unidentified object in the sky on October 24, 2007, while driving home from work in Jackson, Michigan.
• The National Press Club Conference on UFOs: A report by Robert Morningstar on a conference held in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2007, which featured testimonies from military and civilian pilots and intelligence figures regarding official foreign investigations of UFOs. The event was organized by James Fox and Leslie Kean.
• Transcripts of Speakers at National Press Club – Nov. 12, 2007: This section includes excerpts from speakers at the conference, such as:
• Rodrigo Bravo Garrido: A pilot from the Aviation Army of Chile, discussing the work of the CEFAA (Committee for the Study of Anomalous Aerial Phenomena) and UFO incidents affecting air operations.
• Charles I. Halt: A retired US Air Force Colonel, recounting his investigation of a strange event involving lights and a triangular craft near RAF Woodbridge in December 1980.
• Claude Poher: A retired astrophysicist and space research engineer from France, founder of GEPAN, discussing his work on UFO reports and the development of a physical theory for UFO effects.
• Jean-Claude Ribes: An astronomer from France, who contributed to the French COMETA report and discussed the extraterrestrial hypothesis as a logical explanation for UFOs.
• John Callahan: Former Division Chief of the FAA's Accidents, Evaluations and Investigations Division, detailing an incident where a UFO chased a Japanese 747 across the Alaskan sky.
• Jean-Charles Duboc: A retired Air France Captain, describing a daylight UFO sighting near Paris in January 1994.
• Nick Pope: Formerly with the British Ministry of Defence, discussing the UK government's investigations into UFOs and the percentage of cases that remain unexplained.
• The UFO Incident Movie Review by Bill Konkolesky: A review of the 1975 movie based on the Betty and Barney Hill abduction, highlighting its accuracy and acting.
• Mysteries of Space and Sky. Bill Murphy's Column: (Content not visible in the provided scan).
• Michigan Bigfoot Investigator Bob Daigle to Present Jan. 27, 2008: An announcement about an upcoming presentation.
• From The Editor's Desk / "The UFO Incident" movie review: (Content not visible in the provided scan, but likely related to the movie review).

MUFON Information and Events

The newsletter provides contact information for Michigan MUFON, including addresses and emails for key personnel like State Director Bill Konkolesky, Asst. State Director Robert Wagel, Asst. State Director Wendy Smith, and Newsletter Editor David Twichell. It also lists the website addresses for Michigan MUFON and MUFON International.

An announcement is made regarding the MUFON International Symposium to be held at the Double Tree Hotel in San Jose, California, from July 24-27, 2008. The agenda includes investigator training, business meetings, press conferences, and general speaker sessions.

Radio Show Promotion

The "WE ARE NOT ALONE" radio talk show hosted by David Twichell on WHFR is promoted, with upcoming guests including Dr. Melvin Redfern and Stephen Bassett.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, alleged alien abductions, government investigations into UFO phenomena, and the scientific study of these events. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry and open-mindedness towards UFO reports, encouraging the collection and analysis of data, and advocating for a more unified international approach to the subject. The newsletter emphasizes the importance of credible witnesses, such as pilots and military personnel, and the need to distinguish between misidentifications and genuine unexplained phenomena.

This issue of the Michigan MUFON Newsletter, dated January 2008, focuses heavily on UFO phenomena, featuring testimonies from various international and national sources, a review of a ufology symposium, and a movie review. The newsletter also includes organizational news and contact information for Michigan MUFON.

Key Articles and Testimonies

UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) Perspective

A contributor, whose identity is not fully revealed but implies a connection to the MoD, shares that while the MoD took no official stance on UFOs, some colleagues were convinced of important defense, national security, and flight safety issues involved. The MoD investigated a case in March 1993 where about 60 witnesses, including military personnel, reported a triangular craft emitting a humming sound and moving at high speed. The case file noted related inquiries from US authorities. The best-known UK UFO sighting mentioned is the 1980 Rendlesham Forest incident involving USAF personnel, where a landed object's landing site showed radiation levels significantly higher than background.

Anthony Choy: Peruvian UFO Investigations

Dr. Anthony Choy, founding member of the Office of Investigations of Anomalous Aerial Phenomena (OIFAA) in Peru, details his work on "Project 33." He describes the "Chulucanas Incident" on October 13, 2001, where hundreds witnessed eight red-orange spheres of light recorded on video, suspended silently for over five hours. Later, on October 25th, a luminous tear-shaped object was recorded, followed by the apparent landing of light spheres. In February 2002, OIFAA investigated, and in February 2003, the Peruvian Air Force acknowledged the incident as the first official UFO investigation in Peru, concluding the sightings were physically real but unexplained. A further incident on August 6, 2004, involved recording a distant object of unknown origin moving at great velocity.

Wilfried De Brouwer: Belgian UFO Wave

Wilfried De Brouwer, a retired Major General of the Belgian Air Force, recounts the "exceptional UFO wave" over Belgium on November 29, 1989. Approximately 140 sightings were reported, describing a majestic triangular craft with powerful spotlights moving slowly and silently, sometimes accelerating to high speeds. The wave lasted over a year, during which a Belgian UFO organization conducted extensive investigations. De Brouwer confirmed that no stealth or experimental aircraft were involved, and no flight plans were filed, indicating an infraction of aviation rules.

James Penniston: Rendlesham Forest Incident Witness

James Penniston, a retired US Air Force security officer, provides a firsthand account of the Rendlesham Forest incident on December 26, 1980. He describes investigating a report of a landed object and encountering a triangular craft, about 9 feet long by 6.5 feet high, sitting in a clearing. The craft emitted blue and yellow lights, and the air felt electrically charged. Penniston conducted a physical examination, noting symbols on the craft's surface. After about 45 minutes, the craft lifted off silently and departed at high speed. The investigation was classified as "top secret."

Ray Bowyer: Channel Islands Sighting

Captain Ray Bowyer describes a sighting in April of multiple unidentified objects over the English Channel. The encounter lasted 15 minutes, with objects appearing as flattened disks, brilliant yellow, and estimated to be up to a mile across. He notes the difference in reporting systems between the UK and the US, suggesting different attitudes towards UFO phenomena.

Fife Symington: Arizona Sighting

Fife Symington, former Governor of Arizona, recounts witnessing a massive delta-shaped craft over Phoenix in 1997. He describes it as a solid structure with embedded lights, moving silently. As a pilot and former Air Force Officer, he stated it did not resemble any man-made object. The incident was witnessed by thousands, and while the Air National Guard later claimed responsibility for dropping flares, Symington found this explanation unsatisfactory. He calls for the US government to reopen official UFO investigations.

Chicago O'Hare Airport Incident

The newsletter mentions the Chicago O'Hare Airport UFO event where pilots and airport personnel observed a metallic disc hovering over a terminal. The FAA reportedly dismissed the sighting as "weather."

"Mysteries of Space & Sky IV" Symposium Review

Bill Murphy reviews the "Mysteries of Space & Sky IV" symposium held at Anne Arundel Community College. He highlights the event's value for UFO researchers, featuring presentations on the history of ufology, the Betty and Barney Hill case, underwater UFO reports, and analyses of classic UFO cases. Speakers included Rob and Sue Swiatek, Carl Feindt, Don Berliner, Richard Hall, and Bruce Maccabee. The symposium emphasized solid fact and logical observation.

Michigan MUFON Meeting Announcement

The newsletter announces a Michigan MUFON meeting on January 27, 2008, featuring a screening of the movie "The UFO Incident" and a presentation by Michigan Bigfoot Investigator Bob Daigle. It also includes details on meeting costs and reservation procedures.

Editor's Note and Obituary

David Twichell, the editor, notes the importance of a recent press conference at the National Press Club. The newsletter also includes an obituary for William Edward O'Very, a "MIMUFON brother," who passed away on January 6, 2008.

"The UFO Incident" Movie Review

Bill Konkolesky reviews the 1975 movie "The UFO Incident," based on the Betty and Barney Hill abduction. He praises its accurate portrayal of events, strong acting by James Earl Jones and Estelle Parsons, and its effectiveness as a period piece reflecting the social and political issues of the early 1960s.

Michigan MUFON Contact List

A comprehensive list of Michigan MUFON State Section Directors and state officers is provided, along with contact information (phone and email) for inquiries, comments, and sightings.

Suggestion Box and Subscription Form

The newsletter includes a "Suggestion Box" for reader feedback and a form for 2008 calendar year memberships and newsletter subscriptions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings and encounters from diverse locations (UK, Peru, Belgium, USA), witness testimonies (military, civilian pilots, former government officials), the history of ufology, and the ongoing debate about government transparency and the need for official investigations into UFO phenomena. The editorial stance, as implied by the content and the editor's note, supports the serious investigation of UFOs and encourages openness from government bodies. The newsletter actively promotes the Michigan MUFON organization and its activities, aiming to inform and engage its readership on these topics.